US President Donald Trump is talking seriously about pulling the United States out of NATO. This comes after some key allies refused to back Washington’s strikes against Iran, as he told Britain’s Daily Telegraph in a recent interview.
Trump didn’t hold back on the alliance, calling it a “paper tiger” and saying a US exit is now “beyond reconsideration.” He’s been doubting NATO for a long time.
“Oh yes, I would say [it’s] beyond reconsideration,” Trump said when asked whether he would rethink US membership in the alliance following the conflict.
“I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way.”
All this is happening as tensions rise around the world, with folks in Washington frustrated that major NATO partners aren’t stepping up during the Iran mess.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio chimed in too, saying Washington will take a fresh look at its ties with NATO after the fighting wraps up. He made it clear the allies’ no-show won’t be forgotten.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, meanwhile, is pushing NATO countries to do more to get the Strait of Hormuz back open— that’s the vital shipping lane for oil worldwide. It lines up with Trump’s gripes about places like Britain and France.
The bad blood is hitting the economy too. Oil and gas prices are shooting up, squeezing American families and giving Trump and Republicans a headache before the November midterms. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows most Americans want the Iran clash over fast.
On another note, the United Arab Emirates looks ready to help the US and its partners lock down the Strait of Hormuz. Reports say the UAE wants a UN Security Council vote on it and is floating the idea of the US taking charge of some key islands for safer sea routes.
